Kenya – 77 people killed in human-wildlife conflicts in 2018: Balala

WEDNESDAY JULY 3 2019

Residents of Siron Village in Marmanet, Laikipia County, react after coming across a herd of nine elephants being driven back to the forest on March 20, 2019. PHOTO | STEVE NJUGUNA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

The ministry has also reported that 1,263 people were seriously injured by the animals last year, 501 properties damaged and 735 animals killed.

Elephants have killed people and destroyed elephants in counties including Kajiado, Narok, Taita Taveta and Makueni counties. Other cases have been reported in Laikipia, Lamu and Meru.

The committee has tabulated claims totalling Sh5 billion over the period.

The KWS has started fencing hotspots and that ministry was considering insurance firms to provide covers for people living near national parks and game reserves.

By IBRAHIM ORUKO

More than 400 people were killed in human-wildlife conflicts between 2014 and 2017, with 77 deaths recorded in 2018, according to the Tourism ministry.

The ministry has also reported that 1,263 people were seriously injured by the animals last year, 501 properties damaged and 735 animals killed.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala presented the grim statistics to the Senate Committee on Tourism on Tuesday, admitting that human-wildlife conflict remains a major threat to safety and wildlife conservation.

Elephants have killed people and destroyed elephants in counties including Kajiado, Narok, Taita Taveta and Makueni counties. Other cases have been reported in Laikipia, Lamu and Meru.

CAUSES

The CS faced the committee to discuss nominated Senator Judith Pareno’s petition on the government’s delays in resolving these conflicts.